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Newspaper Page Text

Hold
the
Line
and Sane
for
Benioer
B
islation
To She Voters of Missouri:
On the 5th of November, the civilian voters of the State will be called
upon to adopt or reject a proposed constitutional
fog for the prohibition of the "manufacture, sale and gmng away of
intoxicating liquors" known as proposed Amendment No. b.
An analysis of what this question means to the people of Missouri
should he carefully considered by every voter before he casts his ballot.
Some Reasons Why Prohibition Should Be Defeated
ft The amendment is undemocratic, and, as such, un-American, and
constitutes a serious invasion of the Bill of Rights of the citizens of
Missouri.
ft It strikes down the principles of individual liberty and self 'deter
mination upon which American democracy was founded, and sub
stitutes State control of individual habits for self-control, which de
velops individual character.
ft It is insincere as a prohibition measure for the reason that it
excepts liquors for "medicinal, mechanical and scientific purposes,"
which, as shown in other states, opens the door wide for the use of
liquors to almostgany extent.
Lmostgpnj
ft It is destract&e and not constructive in its operation, for the
reason that it involves the ruin of several hundred million dollars
worth of property and the business and livelihood of thousands of
citizens, and entails the loss of immense revenues to the State and
municipalities without providing any compensation for such de
struction of property, business and livelihood or any plan for raising
the revenue that will be needed to replace the revenue destroyed.
ft All European nations except Russia have declared against pro
hibition, and have regulated the liquor industry in accordance with
the report of commissions appointed to study the subject.
C. The British Liquor Control Board have declared against prohibit
Hon and in favor of liquor regulation.
ft By wise legislation, Sweden, Norway and Denmark have, in the
course of a generation or two. brought about model conditions with
respect to the sale and use of beverages containing alcohol
ft Proposed prohibition in our country is not founded on the report
or investigations of any competent commission, but is an extreme
propaganda, the consequences of which cannot be foreseen.
ft The adoption of the proposed amendment may lead to the rati
fication by the Legislature of the State of Missouri of the prohibition
amendment to the Federal Constitution. If the voters of the State
wish to prevent the imposition of the tyranny of prohibition on the
Nation they should, on November 5th next, declare themselves
emphatically against prohibition in Missouri.
ft Prohibition, both State and National will mean the wholesale
adoption of illicit distilling and home brewing, and, as stated by the
Internal Revenue Commissioner, will require an army of deputies
for its enforcement. The rights and privacy of the home would
thereby undoubtedly be totally sacrificed.
ft LET THE BOYS DECIDE WHEN THEY COME HOME.
ft Will we make Missouri safe for democracy if we attempt to
abridge the liberties or change by law the habits of thousands of
our people without giving one hundred thousand Missfurians in
France (one-seventh of our voters) a voice in the matter?
ft Is it wise to destroy vast property and business interests in the
midst of war and bring about changes in a political social and
financial way, the end of which no one can foretell?
ft The revenue collected in the State of Missouri from the brewing
and dramshop business for State purposes amounts to something
oyer $1 ,500,000.00, and for municipal and county purposes, over
$2,000,000.00.
ft The National revenue derived from beer, wines and spirituous
liquors is approximately $500,000,000.00 per annum, which,
under the proposed new Revenue Law, it is estimated will reach
more than One Billion Dollars per year.
ft If Prohibition is enacted, new and increasingly heavy taxes will
have to be assessed and borne by every citizen of the State
and a much greater increase in the income, estate and other taxes will
have to be paid by each citizen if revenues on alcoholic beverages
are no longer available to the National Government.
ft THE LOCAL OPTION LAWS OF MISSOURI, AS
ENFORCED BY OUR HIGHEST COURTS, ARE MORE
EFFECTIVE. LOGICAL AND FAIR THAN STATE-WIDE
PROHIBITION CAN EVER BE,
M
ti
On Amendment
No. 6
Citizens' Committee